Chelsea are willing to splash out a whopping €75 million (£64m/$82m) to sign 16-year-old wonderkid Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, a report says.
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Chelsea set to match Estevao release clausePSG pulled out but other teams interestedBrazilian cannot leave homeland until 2025WHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues are determined to land the rising star, dubbed Messinho (Little Lionel Messi), and reports they have sent an official to open talks with Palmeiras. The Premier League side are willing to match his release clause which is worth a reported €60m (£52m/$66m), but once everything is all wrapped up, the deal could rise to as much as €75m.
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Chelsea have a clear path to signing the winger and attacking midfielder after Paris Saint-Germain backed out of the race because they are not willing to trigger the clause. Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United were also said to be interested in signing him.
DID YOU KNOW?
Estevao has made only one senior appearance for Palmeiras having come off the bench in their final Serie A game of the season as the Sao Paulo club won the Brazilian league title. If he agrees to join Chelsea, he will not be able to make the move to west London until he turns 18 in 2025.
Doc. LOC WCU17/RKYWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
The Stamford Bridge club will hope to convince the 16-year-old to snub interest from elsewhere in the Premier League and Europe and continue his career in the Blues' jersey as compatriot Deivid Washington did, having joined Chelsea from Santos in August.